MUMBAI: The two-day span of Kartik Amavasya November 8-9 will see the brightest festival of Diwali being celebrated nationwide. According to Drik Panchang, Sunday’s Lakshmi Puja mahurat in Mumbai lasts from 6.27pm to 8.27pm.Sunday morning’s abhyang snan of Narak Chaturdashi is a main ritual. Businessmen open new books of record at Chopda pujan while the Bengali community performs Kali Puja by night.The spokesman for Bengal Club, Shivaji Park, Joy Chakraborty said, “Like Bengal, in a traditional way, Kali Puja will start after 9.00pm and go on till 2.00am. More than 5,000 devotees will join puja and bhog prasad.”At Vanrai in Goregaon (E), the 16-year-old Sristy Kali Puja on November 8-9 will draw 1,500 devotees for rituals, bhog and cultural performances, said Mihir Ghorai,In Thane Ghodbundar Road, Bhayandarpada, the Godrej Emerald Cultural Committee will perform Maha Shyama Kali Puja November 8-9, said spokesman Arnab Banerjee. “We will light 108 diyas. The sound of dhaak drums and conch shells and the vibrant Sindoor Khela is a big draw. We have a blood donation drive in the morning and bhog meal at night.”This year food inflation is a major concern with sweetmeats and dry fruit costlier by 10-20%.“Sugar, LPG, grain, flours, pulses, masala, dry fruit, plastic packaging, everything is costlier,” said the owner of a leading mithai and namkeen brand. “The price of almonds has overtaken cashew nuts, which had never happened in my lifetime.”As a result for the first time in years the Diwali gifting segment has shifted back to mithai. The war in the Middle East has caused supply of dry fruit to be routed through circuitous channels, making it extremely expensive.Manish Bajaj of Punjabi Ghasitaram Halwai said, “Corporates are opting for mithai since it is cheaper. The price of imported American almonds, Irani pistachios, figs, Chile walnuts, Afghani raisins is too high. Retail buying usually occurs in the last few days, and every year the ‘last few days’ are becoming fewer.”Vicky Gulati of Gulati’s in Andheri agreed that costs have risen, adding that kaju katli and laddoo remain bestsellers at Diwali.Over in Ulhasnagar, Vicky Jaisinghani of A1 Sweets said, “Costs are rising no doubt, yet the smallest customer buys a little dry fruit since it has a longer shelf life, plus kaju katli and sweets with roasted berries.”The FDA crackdown on adulterated food has had a two-pronged effect. Prices have risen as vendors comply with strict enforcement. Besides families are preferring to prepare simple mithai and faral at home.Minesh Mehta of the fireworks dealers’ association said sales were moderate despite the ban on bursting crackers in public streets.
